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Valparaiso University: History

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Valparaiso University is located in the City of Valparaiso, Indiana, which is the county seat of Porter County. Established in 1836 as Portersville, Valparaiso was renamed in 1837 after Valparaíso, Chile, near which the county’s namesake, naval Commodore David Porter, battled in the War of 1812. The City, with a population of 30,000, serves as the retail hub for much of Porter County, which has a population of 150,000. For nearly a century, the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce has been a leader in shaping Valparaiso's dynamic business environment and making Valparaiso an exceptional place in which to live, work and do business. In addition to Valparaiso University, the City is home to a satellite center for Purdue University North Central and a campus of Ivy Tech Community College. The City’s public school system is frequently cited for excellence and its Lutheran and Roman Catholic elementary schools are highly regarded. Valparaiso has a vibrant local culture, hosting the annual Popcorn Festival and many other events, and the City’s location provides access to the excitement of Chicago and the beauty of the Indiana Dunes/Lake Michigan shore.